Power & utilities overview

Meeting energy demands today and tomorrow.

Worldwide demand in the energy market continues to grow, with developing markets consuming energy as fast as it can be produced.

Major expansion and upgrade programs are underway in India, the Middle East, and other parts of the world. Most of our European clients are trying to meet goals for reduction in greenhouse gas emissions – spurring investment in renewables, as well as transmission and distribution systems.

Jacobs is a preferred partner for power and utility companies worldwide, as well as for private companies and public institutions. We serve their priorities for cost-effective, efficient, high-quality solutions while supporting them in a vast range of energy projects. From power generation, energy integration, and heat recovery through to transmission and distribution, Jacobs builds pilot facilities, greenfield plants, and associated infrastructure, as well as assists clients to expand capacity or extend the life of existing assets and plants. Our experienced consultants can help you plan, forecast, expand, diversify, outsource, and reduce costs.

Jacobs' deep understanding of the regulatory environment that our clients operate in means we can help them plan long term to suit their business needs and priorities. We also have the experience, geographic reach, and technical skills to help clients expand into new regions, bring plants online, improve safety measures, lower operational costs, recommend disaster recovery plans, and implement renewable energy programs.

Generation

Creating flexible laboratories and systems.

Energy providers are investing in new power generating capacity and associated infrastructure to meet their usage needs and address industry regulatory requirements. Through our collaborative, value-enhancing approach, Jacobs guides our clients through every step of their project: from feasibility studies, energy master planning and programming to design and full-scale project implementation.

Jacobs evaluates, designs and installs a variety of solar system projects for clients' thermal and electricity needs. Expertise includes polysilicon, silicon crystal growing and processing facilities; photovoltaic, ingot, cell, module and wafer installations; building and equipment design and installation; contamination-sensitive facilities; safety in design for pyrophoric, flammable and toxic materials; and high purity distillation processes.

From gas, oil, and coal to biomass and energy-from-waste, Jacobs provides robust solutions across the complete life of an asset. Our expertise spans boilers and heat recovery steam generators; gas turbines and combined cycle gas turbines; combined heat and power plants; steam turbines, condensers and FEED heaters; and energy concepts such as heat pumps and organic rankine cycles.

We support clients with their biofuels facilities; waste heat utilization projects; carbon capture and storage projects; as well as power station electrical systems. Jacobs also assists clients with their energy management, energy efficiency assessments and improvement strategies, as they seek to reduce operational costs, while maximizing asset efficiency. Clients include utilities, as well as both private and public sector entities, including universities, hospital districts, federal agencies, and business districts.

Our specialists provide technical, planning, and environmental expertise to help our clients design and build offshore and onshore wind energy projects. With multi-disciplinary skills, Jacobs offers a range of services including wind farm site identification and evaluation; modelling, design, and facility optimization; electrical infrastructure/grid interfacing; marine/offshore engineering and project management; distribution support; and consultation strategy support. Our participation in the Belwind Offshore Wind Farm high voltage station is an example of putting our expertise to good use for our clients.

Jacobs has been involved in all types of hydroelectric power stations including surface and underground power stations, with projects ranging from 0.2MW to 2400MW. Our complete project expertise includes micro plants, run-off river schemes, hydroelectric engineering, and water resources master planning through to the design of dams and tunnels. Dam scheme experience includes concrete gravity, buttress, arch and embankment to rockfill and roller compacted concrete dams. We also support our clients with dam safety and rehabilitation, dam security, and environmental services.

Jacobs provides solutions for clients in all areas of the geothermal energy industry, from the exploration and appraisal of geothermal resources such as San Jacinto (Nicaragua) through to commissioning of power plants such as Olkaria Units IAU and IV (Kenya).

Jacobs' proficiency in strategic advisory studies and fully integrated resource appraisal includes specialist expertise in geology, geochemistry, geophysics, reservoir engineering and drilling engineering. This helps drive projects that are well planned, maximize development success potential and bridge the gap between technical and commercial outcomes.

This is complemented by our aptitude in project management and plant commissioning and expertise in process, mechanical, control systems, electrical and civil engineering. Jacobs' skills are backed by a 40-year history in the geothermal power industry and bolstered by our competitive cost structure, global network of technical professionals and tools such as JacobsValue+.

Jacobs provides this support through extensive capital works programs over multiple years; using collaborative work methods we deliver complete utility and infrastructure master planning and program management. We also provide management consulting services as well as organizational and strategic business planning.

With a focus on decarbonization in many markets, Jacobs also provides strategic expertise to integrate renewable energy sources into transmission networks. In the UK, for example, we are providing early support to clients evaluating the additional transmission connection and reinforcement infrastructure required for nuclear new build generation.

Also, our utilities consulting experts can provide independent review reports and recommendations in situations where needed. We provided such services for a natural gas transmission system rupture in California in 2010.